They were skeptical that balance bikes will ever go as mainstream as training-wheel–equipped bikes. To Sawyers, whose two kids gravitated toward trikes and scooters, it makes little sense to start a kid out on an expensive balance bike when the child might not even want to ride it. This point, however, is disputed by John Bradley, who said that, just like an adult, a child will be more likely to want to ride a lightweight, high-quality bike (which proved true among our testers).
A properly fitted balance bike can enable children to balance on two wheels with astonishing speed even as young as 18 months and is a fun first step toward learning to ride a bike. Plus, once they master it, they’re well on their way to riding their first pedal bike. Our experts advise that learning to ride a bike has changed over the years (no more training wheels) and balance biking is the first step. Once they can balance, they learn to use a hand brake and, finally, learn to pedal, skipping training wheels altogether. However, if you ride in an area with many hills, you’ll probably appreciate a little pedal assist occasionally. Fancy carbon frames and sport-specific builds can often make them pricier than other categories of e-bikes.
Recessed hardware at the wheels makes it impossible for kids’ legs to snag, while a removable rubber O-ring creates a flexible steering limiter to prevent front-wheel jackknifes. The bike also teaches hand braking—the second step in learning to ride a bike, after balance—with its built-for-little-hands levers. Brakes can be a hassle to adjust for the uninitiated, but the Woom’s needed no adjustments, just like the rest of the bike.
Refunds are issued to the original form of payment, unless returned in store where some exclusions may apply. Here are additional features of the Huffy Cranbrook Cruiser bike you might like to know. However, their single-gear ratio makes them less efficient, and it’s more difficult to change or repair tires. Mid-drive motors are located in the bike’s center, usually around the pedal crank, and deliver power to the wheel through the chain. Ryan McFarland, John Bradley, WeeBikeShop’s Ivan Altinbasak, and most everyone I interviewed consider training wheels to be about the worst thing you can put on kids’ bikes. Making a turn with training wheels with too much speed can throw a kid from their bike.
We were impressed right off with the beautiful paint job and flawless welds on the Woom’s super-light aluminum frame. The smooth-rolling rubber tires have just enough knobbiness to grip in the dirt. Axles are secured to the bike via a set of rounded, recessed Allen bolts and recessed huffy mountain bike mounting points that make it essentially impossible for a child to snag a pant leg on or suffer a bruise from in a wipeout. After determining that at least one Strider bike would be a final pick, I also spent an hour on the phone with Strider inventor Ryan McFarland.
Our least favorite part of the 700 Series was the extra time and effort we put into the assembly. This bike comes less assembled than others we’ve tested, and all the additional features take longer to assemble during the initial unboxing. However, this is a one-time task, so we wouldn’t base our final purchase decision on this factor. Also, its above-average weight means it doesn’t feel the most nimble, but we found it easily maneuverable in most situations. Ultimately, we were impressed by the power, range, comfort, smooth ride, and included features of the 700-Series, not to mention the competitive price. Like the Strider 12 Sport, the REV 12 features a very low step-in height of 8 inches—a key aspect for a balance bike—and its seat height is adjustable between a very respectable 13.5 and 18.5 inches.
While many of the features found on particular styles of e-bikes are the same in the analog world, a few motor or battery-specific details are different. Refunds are huffy electric bike issued to the original form of payment, unless returned in store where some exclusions may apply. The 3-class system is becoming widely accepted as a way to regulate e-bike use, but laws and regulations vary by state and even by country. We were also impressed with the Woom’s rear aluminum V-brake hand brake, which is built for little hands and stops the bike with authority. A 2-year-old can easily squeeze the proprietary brake lever, and you can adjust the grip reach effortlessly via a small knob. The comfortably cush seat is right for a little kid (at 4.5 by 7 inches) and even features scuff-proof sides for when it’s laid over on the pavement.
The Huffy Cranbrook women’s cruiser bike stands out more than the one-speed model. Huffy Cranbrook cruiser bikes are suitable for cyclists of different ages from 13 years to adults. Cranbrook model features the “Perfect Fit Frame”, which makes it a perfect bike for everyone, no matter how tall you are.